Tool holding block



Feb. 16, 1954 E. A. WATSON ET AL TOOL HOLDING BLOCK Filed May 20, 1950 I i J .%ENTOR l BY R ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1954 PATENT OFFICE.

I root BLOCK.

Edmund A. Watson, Ridgewood, and George I.- PrestonslMontclairgN. J assignors to 'American Gar? and Eoundry'flompany, New York N; Y, a corpora ion of: New Jersey- Application May 20, 1950'; Serial No. 163,314

11 Qlaims.

replacement tool the groove; since the clamp lng membersmust be: unboitedi from the block to sufficiently expose: the groove for" this purpose. In. the case of multiple tool ho1'ders,-when it is desired to inspect and clean only one of the tool seating grooves, removali or the tool clamping members. from the block. necessarily exposes all thegroovesand? disturbs the setting of the tools.

It is an; object o1 the:- invention to: provide a tool holding: block. in. which the tool clamping isitself slidablyrclamped in; the: block. by the; tool' adjusting screws and? which: may be quickly and easily removed from; the block to fully expose; the; tool. seating; groove by merely loosening; the addusting screws.

Another object of the invention: is. t'cr provide a;mu1tiple took holding: block whereineaelr. of the tools has its separate; independent: clamping means. which may be: slidabiy removed. tron-'1. the block, as azunitz without: in. any way disturbing-; the clamping: means; or the: accurate" setting: or the other tools in. the: block.v I

' Still another object: of the.- invention: is to: provide a. too]: holding block: in which. thecutting heads of the tools are reinforced" orbuttressed against the: heavy pressure? to which they are subjected in service; thereby permitting the use at relatively light: weight smaller sized" tools with apconsequent saving in the cost of" expensive tool steel.

A furtherobject of the invention is to provide atooliholding: block-formed with interior passageways for conducting a coolant to the cutting heads of the: tools, thereby eliminating cumbersome; exterior: conduits or piping tor" this purpose;

These and. other objects. of the: invention will be apparent tothosefskiiliad the art: from" a study'of thcfollowing descriptiontaken with the accompanymg: drawings; which r Figure 1 is atop plan view of the. tool herding block of the present" invention, one of the tool clamping members bei n'g removed to more clearly disclose-the structure:

Figure 2' is"- a rear eleva-tional View of" thetool holding block. i

- 2 Figure- 3- is atransverse sectional-view taken on the line 3'-3 of" Figure 1.

Figure 4'- is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the arrangement at the rear '3 end of one of the tool seating grooves.

Figure 5- is aviewsimilar to Figure- 4 showing the clamping hold-down member in position over a tool seating groove.

Referring now more detail to-the= drawings, the tool holding block generallyindicated at B isremovably securedby' any suitable means, such as't-hesockethead cap screws 6; to the carriage 6 ate; lathe, the bed'of which is partially shown at I3; The-tool holding 151001; B comprises a main portion 8 a raised top portion l t and a rearwardl-y projecting back portion 1 2'. The main portion a ofthe: block is formed with a plurality of spaced tool seating grooves le -in its upper surfaceextending transversely through the block beneath the raised top portion to. The grooves are spaced to suit the requirements or the particular turningoperation to be performed and are adapted to receive, preferably in close fitting relation, the shanks E5 of cutting tools [-5 which are shownv in Figures 1 and 3 as inposition to Work on the axle A. The cutting toolsare adjustably clamped in the grooves I 4' by means new tobe described.

Slots-2 0 extend through the raised top portion I 8 of the tool block in overlying relation to and communicating with thetoo'l receiving grooves M and. are adapted to slidably receive to'ol clamping bars 22; The slots and clamping bars in the instance shown are of inverted T -shapein crosssectionwhereby they mutually cooperate inretaining the: clamping bars againstdisplacement from theslots except by sliding themout endwise, as will cl'earlyhe seen from a study'of Figure 5. However, this is merely by way of'illustration as it will be obvious the slots and'clamping bars may be of various different corresponding cross sectional" forms; such for example as diamond or inverted V-shape', in cooperative engagement to slidably'retain the bars in the" slots against removal except in an endivise direction. Holddown adjusting screws 2'4 are threaded through theto'ol clampingbars 22 at spaced intervals as shown in Figure 1'- whereby thetoolshanks Himay be adjustably' but firmly clamped in the grooves M, the pressure exerted between the screws and tool shank'iorcing the bars 22 into cooperative bearing engagement with slots 2i! to firmly clamp the harem the slots. The rearwardlvprojecting back portion l2ofjthe tool block is similarly pro- 55 vided with a series of spaced slots 26 'ofinverted T-shape in cross-section adapted to endwise slidably receive a plurality of correspondingly shaped back-up plates 28. The slots in the rearwardly projecting block portion l2 and the back-up plates slidably received therein are also shown as inverted T-shaped in cross-section, similar to the hold-down clamping bar arrangement previously described. Again this is merely for the purpose of illustration, since it will be apparent these parts may take various difierent corresponding cross-sectional shapes. Extending through each of the back-up plates 28 is an adjustable jack screw 30 adapted to bear against the rear end of the tool shank 18, the pressure between the screw and back-up plate serving to rigidly clamp the latter in the slot. Stops 32 are provided extending from the rear face of the tool block 8 beneath the slots 28 in the projecting portion 12 to limit vertical downward movement of the back-up plates 28 in the slots 26.

Projecting forwardly from the main portion 8 of the tool block B beneathand in reinforcing relation to the cutting heads of each of the tools It are buttressing plates 36. These buttressing plates 34 act to relieve much of the heavy pressure on the cutting face of the tools during the turning operation, thus making it possible to use a relatively small sized tool head resulting in only the minimum amount of expensive tool steel being required which, as will be obvious, reduces the cost of the cutting operation. Running through the tool block and connected with an outside source of cooling fiuid (not shown) is an interior passage 35 provided with a plurality of branches 38 extending therefrom and terminating at points immediately adjacent the cutting faces of the tools I8. By this means, the coolant is conducted from its source through the main passage 35 and into the several branch passageways 38, thus insuring a constant flow of the coolant in contact with the cutting tools and eliminating cumbersome and bulky exterior tubing or piping ordinarily employed for this purpose.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that an improved multiple tool holding block has been provided in which each of the tools I8 may be easily and quickly adjusted by simply loosening the hold-down screws 24 and adjusting the jack screws 30 without disturbing the setting of the other tools. To remove any particular tool from the block for replacement it is only necessary to loosen the hold-down screws 24 and jack screw 30, and after sliding out the back-up plate 26, the tool I8 is free to slide out of the groove M in a rearwardly endwise direction. The new tool replacement is easily and quickly insertable by sliding it forward endwise into the groove M. It will be seen that the adjustment or replacement may be accomplished separately and inde pendently without in any way disturbing the accurate adjustment of the other tools. Further, as is frequently necessary, should it be desired to inspect and clean any one particular groove I l prior to the insertion of the replacement tool, the groove is readily accessible by sliding the clamping bar 22 rearwardly as a unit from the block and similarly sliding the back-up plate 23 as a unit from the slot 25, thus fully exposing the groove for this purpose. It will be seen that any one particular tool seating groove may he completely exposed for visible inspection and cleaning when necessary without in any way disturbing the clamping members or setting of the tools seated in the other grooves of the block. The inventon may be modified in various re- 4 spects as will occur to thoseskilled in the art and the exclusive use of all such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tool holding block for lathes having a tool seating groove extending therethrough between the sides and beneath the top face thereof, said block being formed with a slot in its top face overlying and communicating with said tool seating groove, a tool clamping bar adapted to be endwise slidably inserted in and removed from said slot covering the top of said groove, said clamping bar and slot having complementary cooperatively engaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining the bar against displacement from said slot except in an endwise direction, and adjustable means carried by the clamping bar for clamping the shank of a tool in said groove and the clamping bar in said slot.

2. In a tool holding block for lathes having a groove extending therethrough between the sides and beneath the top face thereof adapted to receive the shank of a cutting tool, said block being provided with a first slot in its top face overlying and communicating with said tool receiving groove, a tool clamping bar endwise slidably insortable in and removable from said slot covering the top of said groove, said clamping bar and slot having complementary cooperatively engaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining the bar against displacement from said slot except in an endwise direction, means carried by the clamping bar for adjustably clamping the shank of a tool in said groove, said block having a second slot therein extending vertically adjacent the rear end of said groove communicating therewith, a back-up plate slidable vertically endwise into and out of said last-named slot, said back-up plate and slot having complementary interengaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining the plate against removal from said slot except in an endwise direction, and means carried by said back-up plate for applying pressure against the end of the tool shank clamped in said groove.

3. In a lathe tool holding block having a tool seating groove extending therethrough and a raised top portion above said groove, said block being provided with an open top slot in the face of its raised top portion overlying and communicating with said tool seating groove, a tool clamping bar slidable endwise into and out of said slot, said clamping bar and slot having complementary interengaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining said bar against removal from the slot except in an endwise direction, and means carried by the clamping bar for exerting pressure against the shank of a tool seated in said groove to adjustably clamp the same therein.

4. The substance of claim 3 wherein said tool holding block has a vertical slot therein adjacent the rear end of said groove in communication therewith, a back-up plate slidable vertically endwise into and out of said slot, said plate and slot having complementary interengaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining the plate against removal from said slot except in an endwise direction, and means carried by the back-up plate for applying pressure against the end of the tool shank clamped in said groove.

5. The substance of claim 3 wherein said tool holding block is provided with a rearwardly projecting back portion having a vertical slot therein adjacent the rear end of said groove communieating therewith, a back-up plate slidable vertically endwise into and out of said slot, said plate and slot having complementary interengaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining the plate against removal from said slot except in an endwise direction, and means carried by the back-up plate for exerting pressure against the end of the tool shank clamped in said groove.

6. In a lathe tool holding block having a rearwardly projecting back portion and a tool seatin groove extending through the block adapted to receive the shank of a cutting tool, means for adjustably clamping the tool shank in said groove, said block being formed with a vertical slot in its rearwardly projecting portion adjacent the rear end of said groove and communicating therewith, a back-up plate slidable vertically endwise into and out of said slot, said plate and slot having complementary interengaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining the plate against displacement from said slot except in an endwise direction, means carried by the back-up plate for exerting pressure against the end of the tool shank clamped in said groove, and a stop extending from said block below said vertical slot in said rearwardly projecting portion for limiting vertical downward movement of the back-up plate in said slot.

7. In a lathe tool holding block having a tool seating groove extending therethrough for receiving the shank of a cutting tool, said block being formed with a slot in a face thereof extending parallel to and communicating with said toolreceiving groove, a tool clamping bar slidable endwise into and out of said slot, said clamping bar and slot having complementary interengaging side and wall portions, respectively, retaining said bar against removal from the slot except in an endwise direction, means carried by the clamping bar adjustably clamping the shank of a tool in said groove, a tool buttressing plate extending forwardly from said block beneath and in reinforcing relation to the cutting face of the tool clamped in said groove, said tool holding block being provided with a rearwardly projecting back portion having a vertical slot therein adjacent the rear end of and communicating with said groove, a back-up plate slidable vertically endwise into and out of said slot, said plate and slot being of such cross sectional shape as to cooperate in retaining the plate against displacement from said slot except in an endwise direction, and means carried by the back-up plate for exerting pressure against the end of the tool shank clamped in said groove.

8. In a lathe tool holding block having a raised top portion and a rearwardly projecting back portion, said block being formed with spaced tool seating grooves extending through its main portion in the top face thereof for receiving the shanks of cutting tools, said raised top portion of the block having spaced slots of inverted T- shaped in cross section in the face thereof overlying and communicating with said grooves, tool clamping bars of corresponding cross-section slidable endwise into and out of said slots, holddown screws extending through said clamping bars engageable against the shanks of the tools to adjustably clamp them in said grooves, said rearwardly projecting back portion of the block having spaced vertical slots of inverted T-shape in cross section in the face thereof overlying the rear end of and communicating with said grooves, back-up plates of corresponding cross-section slidable endwise into and out of said vertical slots, and jacking screws extending through said back-up plates engageable against the end of the tool shanks clamped in said grooves.

9. The substance of claim 8 wherein stop means are provided extending from said tool holding block beneath the vertical slots in said projecting back portion thereof to limit vertical downward sliding movement of the back-up plates in said slots.

10. The substance of claim 8 wherein tool buttressing plates extend forwardly from said tool holding block beneath and in reinforcing relation with the cutting faces of the tools clamped in said grooves.

11. The substance of claim 8 wherein said tool holding block is provided with interior passages extending therethrough for conducting a cooling fluid to the cutting faces of said tools.

EDMUND A. WATSON. GEORGE L. PRESTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 160,161 Clay Feb. 23, 1875 1,227,457 Langan May 22, 1917 1,372,726 Sloan Mar. 29, 1921 1,626,953 Muller May 3, 1927 2,129,815 Bullard Sept. 13, 1938 2,475,049 Premo July 5, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 390,545 France July 3, 1908 

